Contemplating a new job can leave you anxious and disheartened. It’s not something I think any of us are excited to do. It’s time consuming and a little intimidating; however, it is sometimes a must. If you’re wondering whether you’re in that boat or not, here are some key signs you need to start updating that resume:

You’re getting passed over for promotions by less qualified peers.Now if you’re that millennial thinking you need to be promoted to manager after only being there for 6 months, slow your roll. I’m talking about promotions that you are qualified for and deserving of. If you’ve asked to be considered for promotions that you know are a logical progression of your skills and abilities but they keep passing over you, it might be time to start looking elsewhere. Especially if they never give you a true reason as to why they won’t consider you. A healthy and blossoming work environment will see your value, your hard work, and find joy in promoting you to a well-deserved role.

You haven’t been given a raise or merit increase in over 18 months.This kind of falls into the same philosophy as above. Many companies give at least a 3% raise annually to match inflation and honor your loyalty. Managers can see the hard work you’re making for the company. If you’re not receiving at least a cost of living increase, you need to start questioning whether you are part of a company that will allow you to grow professionally and financially. A healthy work environment and management team will recognize your hard work and want to reward you for it.

Your company is hanging by a thread. One of the reasons you might not be receiving those annual increases could be because the company can’t afford it! If you’re being called by your vendors continuously for unpaid invoices, that’s a bad sign.

Turnover is high. Do you have a new co-worker every 6 months? Is your manager doing anything to stop the bleeding? Unfortunately, high turnover is a reflection on company’s management and it’s not a pretty one. If this is the case where you work, it’s time to start looking.

You notice the company is downsizing. Downsizing can happen for numerous reasons in a company: poor economic conditions, cost reduction, consolidation, outsourcing, etc. This doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to be included in layoffs, but it’s definitely a good idea to start updating your resume just in case.

You’re being asked to do unethical tasks. This one is an obvious sign. You never want to be asked to do things that go against your moral values or put you in risk of breaking the law.

You’re thinking about your lunch break before you even go into work. Do you dread Sunday nights and look forward to Friday at 5 every single week? As a millennial myself, I feel like I must call out my peers and mention it does take a while to find what you’re passionate about and what you truly enjoy in life. Your first job out of college is not going to be your dream job. And you might not enjoy every second of every day you’re at work. That’s just a part of life. That being said, if you’ve been at your company for at least a year and you dread work every single day, it’s time to turn on those alerts on the job boards.

Looking for a new job can be frightening, but sometimes necessary for the well-being of you and your career. If you have any other signs I didn’t mention, share them below!

Written by: Shawn Kinard

Shawn is the Recruiting and Branding Specialist at Godshall. She has been at Godshall for over 5 years now. She graduated from Anderson University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management. She enjoys biking on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, hot yoga, and trying new recipes when she’s not in the office.

Thanksgiving has always been known as the holiday where we should give thanks for what we have. But what if we shifted the focus to the other half of the word for a change? What if we focused on the GIVING just as much as the thanks? Barbara Bush once said, “Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.” We are beyond blessed to be surrounded by great organizations that are doing everything in their power to help those in need whether financially, physically, spiritually, or emotionally. Below are a few of the organizations that the Godshall staff are participating in to help build up the community of Greenville.

The Meyer Center of Greenville – Carol Tribby

“I give and volunteer at The Meyer Center in Greenville. Their vision is to help children living with disabilities reach their maximum potential. For over sixty years, the Meyer Center has provided a one-of-a-kind environment that immerses their students in a world of learning. While my volunteer work there is year around, I am especially involved during their school year. We had a Family Fun Night this year, which was a lot of fun for the families of the children who attend The Meyer Center. I can’t go there without seeing the smiling, happy faces of the kids we serve, and our community is blessed by the work that is done there.”

Brookwood Church – Feed the Homeless or Less Fortunate – Richard Heard

I am fortunate to lead a men’s bible study group at Brookwood Church every Monday night. Our group sponsors/leads a “feed the homeless or less fortunate” meal on the first Saturday of every month at 3:00pm off Hammett Rd just off Poinsett Hwy. It’s an outdoor event and we bring chairs, tables, and tents and feed between 85-200 people every meal. (Brookwood has this feeding on the other Saturday’s of each month as well.) We supplement the other group feedings as needed and likewise, they assist us as well. It’s a great way to show that we care, to spread God’s word/love, and bring some happiness to those less fortunate. In addition, we provide community service projects such as home repairs on an ongoing basis.

The Family Effect – Hannah Spellmeyer

When I first moved to Greenville, I joined the Junior League to meet other women. The impact we’ve had as an organization and its subsequent impact on me over the last four years has been enormous. In addition to providing thousands of volunteer hours and countless grants to deserving organizations, the Junior League of Greenville stays true to its mission of developing the potential of women through our volunteer efforts. From parliamentary procedures to managing significant budgets to making fundraising asks to handling difficult conversations with poise, The Junior League is an organization that gives back to its community and its members. Although I had known about the Family Effect for some time, my first exposure to volunteering there was through the Junior League. I’m honored to have joined their Board of Directors this year. The Family Effect’s mission is to reduce addiction as a leading cause of family collapse through evidence-based programs. Their programs include a home for young men who are coping with addiction as well as an inpatient rehab facility for mothers where their young children can stay with them and receive early treatment for emotional and behavioral issues related to an addicted parent. At the Family Effect, we believe our community is stronger when families can heal together.

The Salvation Army – Shawn Kinard

I was recently introduced to the Salvation Army and the amazing work they have been doing for people for over a hundred years. I used to think all the Salvation Army did was ring bells around Christmas time, but I quickly learned they do so much more! The campus here in Greenville has men and women’s shelters, adult rehabilitation programs, ministry programs, and so much more! I got to serve in their dining hall a couple of weeks ago and met some of the participants in their rehab and housing programs. The men and women there were so appreciative of all that The Salvation Army is doing for them and said they don’t know where they would be without it. I’m excited to get more involved and would encourage anyone looking for an organization to check out The Salvation Army!

Read Up Greenville – Katherine Ericson

I was the Logistics Co-Chair for the inaugural year in 2016. LOVE this charity – it is so important that Lee Yarborough brought this event to Greenville, SC. It is a Young Adult Literature Festival that was held in August at the Peace Center. Close to 30 authors came to talk to avid readers – ages 10 and up through adults. These authors are like rock stars to young readers. The passion and encouragement they gave for the youth of the Upstate to read and write was just amazing. We had over 200 attendees in the first year from all over the southeast and plan to grow it even larger in October 2017. Reading is so important to me. When I was a child and my mom would say lights out, I would take a flashlight and continue reading under the covers! I have seen children want more out of life because of the books they have read; I have seen children want to travel the world because of the books they have read; I have seen children want to invent and challenge themselves in their careers because of the books they have read; and most importantly, I have seen children become comfortable with their individuality because of the books they have read.

Sponsor a Child – Cathy Boggs

Since baseball does not count as a charity, I have to give more money than time. We sponsor an 8-year-old child named Diego in El Salvador and give monthly to help his family provide education, birthday presents, holiday gifts, etc. We keep an ongoing “pen pal” relationship and will continue to sponsor him until he graduates. I want my kids to appreciate all they have and realize we can make a difference in another part of the world. We will eventually do a mission trip as a family to finally meet him in person and see first-hand the difference we made in a family’s life.

United Way – Rebecca Faulk

Greenville is blessed to have many diverse and strong charitable organizations, so for me, it is hard to pick just one. I love giving to and being involved with the United Way of Greenville’s efforts in the Upstate. They have a strong team, a great support system, and fully vet the organizations they disburse funds to. It makes me feel confident that, since I do not have one organization I specifically donate to, my money and efforts are being spread to several organizations in need of assistance.

Loaves and Fishes – Ana Davis

I have been a volunteer board member for the last 7 years and this has been an eye opening experience for me and my family. I came from Colombia, South America almost 20 years ago and never thought that there were hunger issues in Greenville County or in this country. I was completely wrong! I have seen so many cases through my involvement with Loaves & Fishes. Childhood hunger is a real issue in Greenville County. 49.5% of our children are eligible for free or reduced lunches. I have been so blessed to be able to serve on this board and I highly encourage you to get involved in any capacity–as a volunteer rescuing food, coordinating a can food drive within your church, your community or your business, or just being aware of what we do. When you see a situation of anyone ready to throw away food or anyone experiencing hunger, you can just give us a phone call and we will take care of it or refer you to the right organization. What Loaves & Fishes does is a beautiful thing. They not only feed the hungry, but they rescue food and put those two pieces together making a huge impact in this community. There are only 5 people on staff and what they do every day is incredible and a blessing to all of us!

Do you have any charities or organizations you like to give to or serve with?

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! The decorations are always beautiful, the time with family is wonderful, but if we were to be completely honest, one of our favorite parts of Christmas is the presents! Looking back over the past holidays, I think we could all agree there is that one favorite gift you will always remember and always cherish! Here are some of our staff’s favorite gifts they ever received on Christmas!

The best Christmas present I ever received was my cat Eddie. He was a gift the year I graduated from Wofford. He loved Christmas because he would sit under the tree on the fuzzy tree skirt for hours and would get lots of turkey treats from my mom. He died 5 years ago but he’s still my #1 favorite present of all time! – Karen Truesdale

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The best Christmas present I ever received was a blue Volkswagen Beetle. And by the expression on my face below, you can tell I was completely surprised! I was 15 years old, had just received my permit to drive and had not even begun to think about what kind of car I wanted. Little did I know, my parents had bought the car 6 months ago and had been hiding it in their friend’s garage that whole time. I loved that bug and enjoyed it for 5 wonderful years! – Shawn Kinard

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My best Christmas gift was in 1973. My parents told me we did not have a lot of money for Christmas and not to expect a lot from Santa that year. When I got up that morning, the only thing I saw was this really cheap blue raincoat. I knew we did not have a lot of money but my goodness – a RAINCOAT – come on! They could see the disappointment on my face. My mom told me to at least act like I was happy about it and let my dad take a picture of me with my new coat on. She told me to put my hand in my pocket and smile and I DID! There was a key to a 1968 Pontiac Firebird. It was red with a black vinyl top and black interior. I loved that car! That is still my favorite car from the several cars I have had since then. – Tanya Henderson

Although I think they’re pretty common now, the “My Size Barbie” really spun my wheels as a child. I loved all Barbies, but a 3 foot tall Barbie was something to really treasure. I think they were over $100 when they came out in 1992 and I was devastated when my mom told me that they were too expensive. On Christmas morning there she was beside the Christmas tree. Because I’m a tall person in general, she wasn’t technically “My Size,” but that didn’t take away from the excitement. I wasn’t one of those who kept her in pristine condition either so over the next three years, she rode beside me in the Barbie Jeep, had her hair cut and ultimately lost the princess dress and wore my own favorite outfits.-Hannah Barfield

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My grandfather used to tape record us opening up presents on Christmas morning back in the early 1980’s. I grew up in an extended family home living with my parents and grandparents. Back in 1992 when we lost my grandfather we all felt very sad. I remember the family feeling the loss of the family patriarch and sadness throughout the day. As Christmas day went on, my mother and I found the cassette tapes that he had kept and played them for the rest of the evening. This was the best present that I could have ever had. It was a step back into my childhood.- Michael Bays

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The Christmas morning I remember most was when I was probably 10 years old and received a saddle from Santa. I had been horseback riding for about 2 years and continued to do so throughout high school – so receiving my first saddle was a big deal! I remember it hanging over the back of a chair in our living room, chestnut leather shining in all its glory! I was so excited. – Courtney Mebane

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My favorite Christmas gift was when I received a Sport 4-wheeler when I was about 15 years old. Unfortunately for my parents, this just opened the door to me spending about every weekend racing up and down tracks and trails in the woods. – Zandr Tesolowski

What is your most favorite present you have ever received for Christmas?

Thanksgiving is always a time to look back on our lives and be thankful for all that has been provided to us. We’re thankful for the memories we’ve created with the families and friends we have. We’re thankful for the delicious food we will never be able to eat enough of. We’re thankful for the traditions that may or may not have been created on purpose! Here are some of the memories and traditions our staff is most thankful for!

I have numerous memories and traditions for Thanksgiving. One of the biggest traditions my mom and I have is waking up around 5:00am every morning on Black Friday to get the best deals. Most people hate it, but we find it insanely fun trying to save every penny we can! We love a bargain! But my favorite part of any holiday is the fellowship I get to be a part of. Even though my family is rather small compared to most, I love spending time with them. It’s something you can’t take for granted because tomorrow is never guaranteed. – Shawn Kinard

One of our traditions is we celebrate “Thanksmas” the Saturday after Thanksgiving in West Virginia with my husband’s family and extended family of Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. It is the day we “kick off” Christmas with a white elephant gift exchange, delicious food, great football, and an enjoyable time with family that we only see annually on “Thanksmas!”- Cathy Boggs

My favorite memory for Thanksgiving was 18 years ago. It was the first thanksgiving that I was married. We invited lots of family over for dinner. My husband put the turkey on the smoker. Little did I know, the neck and giblets had to be discarded first. He overheard me on the phone asking a relative where I would find them!!! The look on my husband’s face was priceless. I am thankful he can still put up with me 18 thanksgivings later. Now, I enjoy every second of making a flawless family Thanksgiving dinner. – Catherine Culler

My favorite part about Thanksgiving is the time with my family; we do eat a great deal but we try to relax, take walks and take time to reflect on how blessed we are. If I had to go with a food favorite, my grandmother’s stuffing would win for my Thanksgiving side dish! Even though my grandmother joins us for the meal, my mom makes the stuffing now. It is different from your typical stuffing; it is heavier like a dressing but still has that yummy cornbread taste! – Rebecca Faulk

Some of our favorite things about Thanksgiving are:

Spending time with family

Watching the parade

Football games on TV and in the backyard with our now teenage boys

Preparing the meal is as much fun as eating it

The Clemson v. Carolina game! It is always a fun way to kick of Thanksgiving weekend!

Putting up the Christmas tree! – Julie Brown

I am thankful for my mother. She is the youngest of 10 kids and has been cooking full meals since she was 10 years old. Every year she makes a flawless Thanksgiving meal that is on the table at 12:00pm sharp. It’s only when you get older that you realize all the time that it takes to prepare a huge feast and how expensive it is! Turkey and all the trimmings is not cheap. 🙂 I’m 42 and I’ve never had to cook for Thanksgiving. My mom likes to do it all. Now that I’m married and have to spend the holidays with two sets of families, I appreciate my mother’s food even more. She just makes everything yummy! Here’s one of my favorites that my husband specifically asked for this year:

As I was growing up and right up to about 5 years ago, my family would travel to Huntersville, NC to my Great Grandparent’s farm. My grandfather’s brother and sister lived there and still own about 30 acres. My grandfather would perform the prayer and it was always remarkable and well received by all in attendance. After the meal, we’d all go out to the pasture and shoot skeet or feed the cows (sometimes, they did not have cows). My cousins and I would always find new things to discover in old shops and barns scattered around the property. If the weather did not cooperate, we could always sit around and listen to my grandfather talk about farm life back during the Great Depression or my uncle’s war time experiences during World War II. Many memories have been etched into my family there in Huntersville! Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving on Lake Hartwell with Julie’s family and my mom as we await the annual Clemson vs. USC game! – Drew Brown

What are some of your favorite traditions or memories from Thanksgiving?